SS New Year Message…

As I spent yesterday recovering from TriState NYE’s Countdown for a Cause: Red Carpet Affair at Lincoln Financial Field, I tried to think of all of the “profound” things that I’d write to you to encourage and empower you in the presence of the new year.

Then I realized how hung-over I was and decided that that particular moment may not have been the best time to write a damn thing…and so I write to you now.

Haha!

A good friend of mine and hip-hop artist, “S.N.U.B“, recently posted a message on Instagram that caught my eye. It read:

Before you start yelling that 2013 is going to be your year, make sure you’ve figured out why 2012 wasn’t.

I don’t know why it hit me as deep as it did, but I found simplistic truth in what he wrote.

In 2012, I reached a goal–a dream– that had been six years in the making: graduating from Temple. From May 10th, 2012 and onward, my life changed drastically. In nine months, I managed to accomplish more than I ever envisioned doing when I started my new job and got serious about SincerelySyreeta.com. In that time, I was determined to learn everything possible that life presented to me and I was blessed enough to have a phenomenal support system to guide me in the process.

There were times when I questioned myself: whether my thoughts and writing

Shot by DanieG Photography.

were really worth another person’s time; why people were so drawn to my site and me as person–especially since I’ve always felt more comfortable “playing the background”; whether the preservation of my quickly growing brand was more important than the raw, unapologetic voice that my dedicated SS readers had grown to love and know me for; when I asked myself just who the hell I thought I was, taking on all that I had; the questioning never stopped, the thinking the never stopped–but the doubting…the doubting did.

With each doubt-laced question that I logically presented myself with, I responded with an action. Whether it was writing another piece, doing another interview, covering another event, meeting with another consulting client, collaborating on an event–I never stopped…despite the countless fears I created within myself.

Our fears are enough to scare the shit out of us but the comfort…the assurance… comes in proving to yourself, every single day, via dedicated action, that you’ve got something worth giving to the world–something worth adding to the fabric of humanity. When you couple that with a vision of victory and surround yourself with people who give more than take [emotionally, spiritually, or otherwise], I think you’ll find that you’ve arrived at your dream sooner than expected, and that success in fact, has already been achieved.

So in 2013, I pray that you take the time to look back and recognize where you could have pushed a little harder, held yourself more accountable for your actions and made a greater, positive impact in the lives of those around you. I pray that before embarking on this new chapter of life, you also take the time to pat yourself on the back for what you did accomplish; for how far you’ve come; and truly embrace the truth that is: if you think it, plan it and effectively execute it, your dreams are already your reality–the key is to find out which party of your story you’re currently in.

The difference between you and those whom you admire [and let’s be real–some of you even hate on] is that THEY DIDN’T STOP.

That’s it.

They didn’t stop and while they may have battled with the same insecurities that you currently are, they found a way to at least keep them at bay enough to focus on what they truly wanted.

Now…what are you going to do? The year 2013 is here–they claimed we wouldn’t live to see it and we have.

In a sense, we beat the supposed odds, right?

Make it count for something. In order to make one move count, you have to acknowledge all of those that came before it [as in 2012]. When you do that, you’ll clearly see whether you’re an asset or a liability to those around you, and whether you’re truly serious about your dreams–which only directly influences whether others truly support you or not.

So take a chance on yourself and go after all that you desire fearlessly, humbly and with integrity.

~~~

As for me…

I’m not even a full year into the full operation of SS and thus far it’s been on a part-time schedule so trust and believe, it only gets greater from here–God willing.

SS is growing amazingly and the SS Team has been instrumental in our success of 2012. DanieG and Jamal, I’m so thankful for you loves and please know that the work you’ve put in to building my dream will come back to you ten-fold.

To my business colleagues and partners whom I’ve worked with in the past few months: the honor and pleasure has been all mine. In many cases, we started out on business terms and grew friendships. I look forward to what we’ll do in this world next.

To my family and friends: I lost some of you and had the blessing of growing closer with many of you in my pursuit of my purpose [not happiness, I’m blessed to have that already]. Every single one of you have helped make me who I am today and there isn’t a second that goes by when I don’t recognize that your love, prayers and constant support have enabled my dreams to come to fruition. THANK YOU!

To my COO Zuri: Maaaaannnnn…you’ve always made sure that I took the time to take care of ME before SS and anything else. You help me keep my sanity and you’ve taken my dreams and helped give them life. I’ll never cease to recognize your invaluable, beautiful spirit and God willing, these dreams take us far enough to a point where I can give you everything that you’ve given me. WE’RE GIVING 2013 SOMETHING TO BUZZ ABOUT–NO DOUBT!

To my PHENOMENAL SS READERS: EVERY DAY THAT YOU GET UP AND DECIDE TO GO AFTER YOUR DREAMS, YOU BRING ME ONE STEP CLOSER TO MINE; YOU INSPIRE ME AND YOU EMPOWER ME. IN 2012 YOU ALL SHOWED YOUR MIND-BLOWING SUPPORT AND I LOVE YOU DEARLY FOR IT. YOU WILL ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS HAVE MY LOVE AND PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU’LL BE SEEING PLENTY MORE OF SS THIS NEW YEAR.